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How to Find Public Records in Wells County in 2026

Members of the public seeking official documentation maintained by government agencies in Wells County, Indiana, may access a range of publicly available records through WellsRecords.us as well as through official county and state government offices. This resource provides data and publicly available information related to public records, including court filings, property documents, vital records, and law enforcement logs, subject to applicable state law exemptions. The information available may vary by record type, custodial office, and the method of access selected.

Record categories that members of the public may find include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax assessments)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
Land use and zoning records

Records in Wells County may be searched through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by the State of Indiana.

Online Access:

The Indiana Courts case search portal allows members of the public to search civil, criminal, and probate case information statewide, including Wells County. The portal does not require registration for basic searches. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides guidance on locating court documents, requesting records for family members, and submitting formal public information requests. Property and recorder records may be accessible through the Wells County official website at wellscounty.org.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Wells County Clerk's Office to inspect or obtain copies of court and official records. The office is located at the Wells County Courthouse, 102 W. Market St., Bluffton, IN 46714. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and specify the record type and date range sought.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests should be directed to the Wells County Clerk's Office at 102 W. Market St., Bluffton, IN 46714. Each request should include the full name of the subject, the type of record sought, the approximate date range, and the requestor's contact information. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed 24 hours for denial and seven days for fulfillment under most circumstances.

Phone/Email:

Wells County Clerk's Office: (260) 824-6479
Wells County Recorder's Office: (260) 824-6480
Email inquiries may be directed through the official Wells County government website contact portal at wellscounty.org

What Are Public Records in Wells County?

Public records in Wells County are defined under Indiana law as any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, tape, recording, or other material that is created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency and is generated on public funds. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, a "public record" encompasses all documentation held by a public agency in the course of its official duties.

The following record types are currently maintained by Wells County government offices:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil and criminal court records	Wells County Clerk / Circuit Court
Probate and family court records	Wells County Superior Court
Property deeds and mortgages	Wells County Recorder
Property tax assessments	Wells County Assessor
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Wells County Health Department / State Dept. of Health
Business licenses and permits	Wells County Clerk / Plan Commission
Voting and election records	Wells County Election Board
Meeting minutes and agendas	Wells County Auditor
Budget and financial documents	Wells County Auditor
Arrest logs and incident reports	Wells County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Wells County Plan Commission

The Indiana Judicial Branch local courts page for Wells County provides direct contact information for the courts that maintain official case records.

Is Wells County an Open Records County?

Wells County operates in full compliance with Indiana's statewide open records framework. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3-1 et seq., all public agencies in the state, including those in Wells County, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying by any person, subject to enumerated exemptions.

As stated by the Indiana Public Access Counselor, "The Access to Public Records Act reflects Indiana's commitment to open government and the public's right to know how their government operates." The Act establishes that the policy of the state is to provide broad access to public records, and any doubt regarding whether a record is subject to disclosure is to be resolved in favor of disclosure.

Wells County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state APRA governs all public records requests submitted to county agencies. The Indiana Public Access Counselor's office provides advisory opinions and guidance on compliance matters at in.gov/pac.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Wells County?

The fee structure for public records in Wells County is governed by state law and the policies of each custodial office. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge fees for copies of public records, provided those fees do not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.

Standard fees currently applicable in Wells County include:

Fee Type	Amount
Paper copies (standard 8.5" x 11")	$0.10 per page
Certified copies (court records)	$1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee
Certified copies (vital records)	$8.00 per copy (Indiana State Dept. of Health rate)
Electronic copies (where available)	Varies; may be provided at no charge
Document search fee	No charge for inspection
Recorder document copies	$1.00 per page

Inspection of records at a public counter is provided at no charge.
Accepted payment methods at the Wells County Courthouse include cash, check, and money order payable to the respective office. Credit card acceptance varies by department.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records requested for personal use in certain circumstances, at the discretion of the custodial agency.
Fees for certified copies of vital records are set by the Indiana State Department of Health and apply uniformly across the state.

Does Wells County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Wells County. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, any person has the right to inspect public records during the regular business hours of the custodial agency at no charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person is free, obtaining physical or electronic copies may incur the fees described above.

The following resources currently provide free access to Wells County public records:

Indiana Courts Case Search (MyCase): The Indiana Courts case search tool provides free online access to court case information for Wells County, including case numbers, party names, hearing dates, and case dispositions.
Wells County Assessor's Office: Property assessment records and parcel data are available for free inspection through the county's online GIS and assessment portal.
Indiana County Jail Public Portal: Current and recent jail custody information for Wells County may be searched at no charge through the Indiana County Jail public portal.
Indiana Incarcerated Database: Members of the public may search the Indiana Department of Correction offender database at no cost to locate individuals currently or previously incarcerated in state facilities.
Wells County Auditor: Budget documents, meeting minutes, and financial reports are available for free inspection at the Auditor's office or through the county website.

Who Can Request Public Records in Wells County?

Any person may request public records in Wells County. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, there is no residency requirement, and requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most record types. Non-residents of Indiana retain the same rights of access as Indiana residents under state law.

Specific eligibility considerations include:

Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect most public records. However, certain offices may require identification for records that contain sensitive personal information or for certified copies.
Purpose: Agencies may not require a requestor to disclose the reason for a public records request as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances specified by statute.
Requesting your own records vs. others' records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity. Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same access rules, except where specific exemptions apply (e.g., sealed records, juvenile records).
Attorneys and legal representatives may request records on behalf of clients and should identify their representative capacity when submitting formal requests.

The Indiana Judicial Branch public records guidance provides additional information on requesting records for family members and submitting formal public information requests to the courts.

What Records Are Confidential in Wells County?

Not all records maintained by Wells County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 enumerates categories of records that are either confidential by law or discretionarily exempt from disclosure. The following record types are currently treated as confidential or restricted in Wells County:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Indiana law and are not accessible to the general public.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled as part of an active investigation are exempt from disclosure until the investigation is closed.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly disclosed records.
Medical records: Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions involving public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted business records containing trade secrets are exempt.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Records describing security systems or vulnerabilities of public facilities are withheld.

As noted by the Indiana Public Access Counselor, "The exemptions in the APRA are not mandatory; agencies retain discretion to release exempt records unless another law prohibits disclosure." Requestors who believe a record has been improperly withheld may file a complaint with the Indiana Public Access Counselor at in.gov/pac.

Wells County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Wells County Recorder's Office
102 W. Market St., Suite 204
Bluffton, IN 46714
(260) 824-6480
Wells County Recorder

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

Wells County Clerk's Office
102 W. Market St.
Bluffton, IN 46714
(260) 824-6479
Wells County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Wells County Assessor's Office
102 W. Market St.
Bluffton, IN 46714
(260) 824-6481
Wells County Assessor

Wells County Auditor's Office
102 W. Market St.
Bluffton, IN 46714
(260) 824-6482
Wells County Auditor

Wells County Health Department
1240 N. Main St.
Bluffton, IN 46714
(260) 824-6494
Wells County Health Department

Wells County Sheriff's Office
645 W. Washington St.
Bluffton, IN 46714
(260) 824-3426
Wells County Sheriff

Wells County Circuit and Superior Courts
102 W. Market St.
Bluffton, IN 46714
(260) 824-6479
Wells County local courts